Donnie Edwards and Ricky Manning Jr. on the block

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; Both these guys are available. Ricky Manning Jr. wouldn't be a bad pickup for CB and Edwards is a stud at LB.
Edwards on the block
&amp;lt;Apr. 14&gt; Chargers GM A.J. Smith confirmed to The San Diego Union-Tribune on Thursday ...

Both these guys are available. Ricky Manning Jr. wouldn't be a bad pickup for CB and Edwards is a stud at LB.

Edwards on the block
&lt;Apr. 14> Chargers GM A.J. Smith confirmed to The San Diego Union-Tribune on Thursday that the team is indeed shopping Edwards. The paper speculates that the Chargers are looking to get a first-day draft pick in return for the veteran linebacker.
"If it's not attractive, nothing will be done," Smith said. "If it is, decisions will be made."

Edwards, the Chargers' leading tackler the last four seasons, is in the final year of the $18.75 million contract he signed with San Diego as a free agent in 2002. The 33-year-old has a cap charge of $3.55 million in 2006.

The Chargers are also looking to trade safety Hanik Milligan, according to ESPN.com's John Clayton.

Bears eyeing CB Manning
&lt;Apr. 14> Panthers cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. left Chicago without an offer sheet, but don't be surprised if the restricted free agent gets one soon, reports ESPN.com's John Clayton. The Panthers tendered Manning low at $721,600, making him available for a third-round choice.
Manning wants to be a starting cornerback, but that isn't going to happen in Carolina with Ken Lucas and Chris Gamble on the team. The Bears had a Pro Bowl season out of Nathan Vasher, but Charles Tillman, whom many thought would have a Pro Bowl season, struggled. Manning could push Tillman for a starting job

With Simmons, Fujita or Hawk and Edwards....Pretty good looking LB's. The possiblity of the Saints going after Edwards is slim though. He wants big money. But, he has been an outstanding LB for the Chargers the last 3 or 4 years. Led the team in tackles in at least the last two seasons.

The edwards deal I'm not too sweet on just b/c he is 33 and while he did lead his team intackles the last 4 seasons, I'm not inclined to get a guy that old. His cap number isn't too bad, but then he's a FA.

That said....Edwards would be an instant upgrade at the defensive spot we realy could use help at...that of leader. Plus he does play with a chip on his shoulder, so he has the kind of attitude we can rally around. If we can get a deal in place for more picks prior to the deal, I say do it, but not ifwe are giving up our only other 1st day pick onthe hopes a team trades up.

Manning I love. Kid plays big..bigger than he is...and is a great guy. Giving up a third for him and filling out that other CB slot would be a fair deal, but again...where do we get the picks from?

If Haslett was still coach, I would say there is no way in hell that the Saints would try to pick up either of those guys, but with Coach P....different story. The guy is aggressive and is trying to land some FA's that this team needs. I don't think either are completely out of the question.

Ricky Manning is toast. He got beat out by Ken Lucas AND Chris Gamble for starting spots. He has tried to live off his name since the playoffs when they went to the Superbowl. If he is anything more than a nikcel, pass. Which means I wouldn't give up more than a 5th or 6th rounder for him.

Edwards I could warm up too, but he's 33. This team doesn't have much luck with aging once good vets coming here and having good seasons. (Brian Cox, Dale Carter, Ashley Ambrose, Wayne Gandy, etc.). But he did have 150 something tackles last year. So if he's reasonable about salary, i'd be willing to let him roll for another year or two. But if it's Edwards or Hawk, i'm going with Hawk, age being the main reason.